Online Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies (BPS) with the University of Cincinnati Online is a fully online program where students can use their existing work experience toward a degree. This program emphasizes a breadth of study to teach students applicable skills that will make them more appealing in a job market that continues to grow more competitive. This program is ideal for adult learners with existing work experience.
What is a Professional Studies Degree?
UC Online is giving students the opportunity to let their life experience help them reach higher career milestones. There are many opportunities to fast-track the course load depending on how prior work experience applies for each student. This means students can spend more time studying their areas of interest.
The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies is a degree completion program, like others at UC Online. It is built for anyone who has completed high school level education or some college and have life experience ranging from professional work history to volunteer work emphasizing leadership and organization skills.
There are three common goals students have when applying for this program:
- Career Advancement – Adding professional competencies and completing a degree in order to advance in their current field
- Career Change – Obtaining the right skills and earn a degree that makes it possible to pursue a new career path
- Degree Completion – Joining a program that respects and accepts their existing credits and prior work experience toward a degree completion
If you are striving for at least one of these goals, this is the program for you! Your past life experience will be used in your favor to ensure you achieve your professional goals.
BPS Program Highlights
High Quality Education
Professional Studies will help students hone their interests toward new applicable skills. The professional studies curriculum is designed to flex according to each student’s aspirations and their unique situations.
- Online courses will focus on skills and competencies employers are seeking.
- This program provides the unique opportunity to earn credit for prior work experience.
- Finish your degree, strengthen your leadership skills, and accelerate your path to higher-level roles with the Fire Administration Track.
Flexibility
- 100% Online - supports students wanting to study full or part-time
- Customizable Education Track for each student
- Co-Op Work Experience Credits
- Financial Aid
- Transfer Credits Acceptance
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Admission to the Bachelors of Arts in Professional Studies is accessible for a wide range of backgrounds due to the adaptability of the general education included in this degree.
Prerequisites
Work Experience: students entering the BA in Professional Studies program are required to have a minimum total of four years of work experience.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Fall 2026 for all applicants who apply by July 1, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who: are currently serving in the US armed forces, or are veterans of the US armed forces.
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Please review and submit the following materials:
After submitting your application form, all applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to University of Cincinnati in order to be eligible for admissions review.
- First-Year and Transfer Applicants with Fewer Than 24 Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from your high school and all prior colleges (if applicable) for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- Transfer Applicants with 24+ Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from all prior colleges for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- You are exempt from the High School transcript requirement, this item will be removed from your application checklist once your college documents are received.
Please review the section below for guidance on how to submit your transcripts.
Online transcript request systems are the preferred method to deliver official transcripts electronically. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly to determine their ordering process.
If a physical copy must be sent, DO NOT request it be delivered to you. It must be sent directly from your prior school to the following address:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Per the University of Cincinnati’s transfer policy, the following types of transfer credit will be recognized:
- Previously earned college-level credits are accepted depending on the regional accreditation status of the college or university during the time of enrollment
- Test credits including Advanced Placement (AP) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Advanced standing credits including credit-by-exam and competency-based
- Credits for prior learning upon completing the faculty-assessed Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
- Industry-Recognized Credentials through Ohio’s new ITAGs Initiative
- Military Credits and MTAGs
- Career technical credit and transfer assurance guides
If you’re interested in this program and applying from outside of the United States, you will need to follow the process for international student applications. Check out UC Online’s step-by-step guide for international applicants.
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 Fall 2026 |
March 15, 2026 July 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 August 24, 2026 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
Hear From BPS Students
“Like most students at UC Online, I have a busy schedule. I manage my design business, clients, and our family’s schedule, and I was concerned about coming back to college after being away from school for many years. Being in my 50’s, school online was intimidating at first, but I am glad that I made it a priority because you are never too old to get your degree! If this program seems too good to be true, it’s not! I always knew there was someone I could reach out to with questions and get a prompt response, and collaborating with my peers in discussion boards helped me never feel isolated. If you are on the fence about returning to finish your bachelor’s degree like I was, please take the leap and do it, because you will not regret it!”
Lisa M.
Bachelor's in Professional Studies Student
“As I weighed my options to reentering university as an adult learner, I wanted my schooling to be purposeful, interesting, and fast-tracked. The BPS Foundations course requires you to reflect on and evaluate your past experiences, while simultaneously exposing you to a growth mindset. The subjects discussed during the first semester were so captivating and stimulating, that since the semester ended, I have pursued further independent learning. For professionals looking to go back and finish their degree, I cannot recommend this program enough! ”
Gabrielle W.
Bachelor's in Professional Studies Graduate
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